Creation wakes up again in April. As we celebrate the miracle of new life at Easter (21), Americans observe National Garden Month, Keep America Beautiful Month, and Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month. Why not spend more time studying, individually or communally, Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato si’, which examines our responsibility to the world around us?

The  readings today take us into the realm of the impossible. Yahweh put water in the desert—impossible; Saint Paul tells us we will attain Resurrection from the dead—impossible; the adulterous woman is condemned by no one—impossible.

In this day and age, some will think it “reasonable” or simply realistic to admit that some things can’t be done and some divides will never be bridged. The goal of world peace, mouthed by every beauty pageant winner, or the eradication of poverty may just be pipe dreams.

Jesus went across to Mount Olives, but he was soon back in the Temple again. Swarms of people came to him. He sat down and taught them.

The church was abuzz. People could not help but see the graffiti that had been spray painted on the beautiful doors of the church, on the stone walls, the sidewalk and even the rectory garage overnight. No names or gang symbols. Just one can of red paint sprayed randomly.

I grew up watching Flash Gordon reruns with my brother on Sunday mornings after church. The show's writers perfected the “cliffhanger ending.” At the end of each program it would appear that our hero was facing mortal danger with no hope of escape. We had to tune in the following week to see if he survived.

The board of directors’ decision to hire a consultant to come up with some new fundraising strategies at the financially hurting organization was met with huge resistance. Long before the consultant’s first day, the company rumor mill had begun, and by the time the “outsider” came face to face with the employees, they had painted him as an axe-wielding brute intent on slashing every beloved program currently in place.

I remember in the eighth grade, Sister William sharing with the class the story of the woman caught in adultery. Sister explained that what John the Evangelist left out when he gave us this gospel was the listing of sins that those who wanted to stone the woman committed.

On this last Sunday before the season of Lent begins, we ask God to prepare our hearts.

Everything terrible is something in need of our love.